Welcome Aboard!

Plane rides are boring. The only ways I can make them interesting are either people-watching or looking outside the window. Believe you me, I have tried everything. Reading a book, listening to music or watching something on that little screen. It just doesn’t cut it. Does this stem from my apprehension of being bored? Why am I wired to be productive?

The stewardess goes about her business as usual, pouring coffee enquiring what passengers would like. Staealing glances between them, they have their own language.

Dressed in a crisp uniform, not a hair out of order walking up and down the aisle with a practiced elegance. The scarf around her neck must be choking her, I think. Dealing with stupidity, arrogance and ignorance repeatedly. The same questions, same indifference, same lack of respect just different faces. It must be so exhausting and emotionally draining to interact and serve people who don’t give them another thought. I wonder why you would need a person to manage a horde of adults or kids travelling with adults in a “civilised” society. But then I remember that we are strapped in a giant metal tube gliding over the clouds. I am myself uneasy and need a calm face to look to.

All this while with a smile on her face. Underneath it all, worried about how someone might harass her the next instant. Hospitality is tough and requires great character.